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Tips for removing half shell?

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I am new to half shells. My Phonak Virto R does not have a removal handle (audiologist did not recommend it as they break and some do not like the appearance). In the manual at page 7 (https://www.phonak.com/content/dam/celum/phonak/local-assets/us/user-guides/en/PH_UserGuide_Virto-I-R_92x125_EN-US_029-1360-03.pdf6) Phonak say to:

  1. Put your thumb behind your lobe and gently press your ear upward to push the hearing aid
    out of the canal. In order to help it along, make chewing movements with your jaw.
  2. Grasp the protruding hearing aid and remove it.

This does not seem to work for me or I am not understanding where to push. The inner portion of the vent on these has an angular edge that makes it hard to remove the aid from most angles. Pulling up or forward makes them bind more. They come out easiest from the front but it is hard to grab them that way. The audiologist mentioned that some brands will put an edge to grab with a fingernail, but Phonak does not do that.

I also tried twisting them out as recommended here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCaLbyuoP6U4 . That also does not work well. It’s hard to twist them. This might be because the inner vent opening is a bit taller than the area just further out limiting the room available for twisting.

I’ll find the best way for me eventually but any other tips to try?

3 people in this conversation3 min readJump to latest

Where did you put that back pressure? There’s about 90 degrees of possible options. Some positions lossen the aid some but it can remain stuck from there.

Thanks. I think I get. I hold the front top outer corner and then press behind the ear on the opposing side. It’s still not easy or a gentle push. My ears would be sore if I took these out often. Possible it takes practice. Or Phonak made the fit too tight.

It’s a little uncomfortable and I get some clicking when moving my jaw. Possibly the impression wasn’t great or I need open jaw impressions. Clinics do not want to invest in 3D scanners but that can’t be less precise and would save refit time.

When I get the impressions done I move my jaws like I am eating and or talking. It helps to insure the ear molds b isn’t too tight.

In reply to @user490

@user490 said:

Clinics do not want to invest in 3D scanners but that can’t be less precise and would save refit time.

cvkemp gave you the best advice here about how to remove molds that sit SNUG in the ears. I would only add that you can pull UP on the top of your ear with one hand while using the other hand to push from behind the ear just where the ear cup meets the earlobe. The two moves together should make a gap as you wiggle the aid out - not optimal, but I also find that those plastic “pull strings” would SNAP off if they are overworked.

As for clinics not wanting to invest in 3D laser-imaging, there is that PLUS the manufacturing of the actual digital impression. If the physical mold is not made with care, it won’t fit no matter how good the laser tool is. That is what my audi told me. They had to send molds back multiple times cuz the weakest link was the manufacturer.

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